Strengthen awareness and safe interdiction approaches for NPS and synthetic drugs with Pacific enforcement agencies
Suva, Fiji, 22 September 2023 - The International Narcotic Control Board GRIDS Programme coordinated the first regional multi-agency training to bolster the capabilities of frontline officials in identifying new psychoactive substances (NPS), sharing intelligence, and acquiring techniques for the safe interdiction of dangerous synthetic opioids in the Pacific. The five-day networking and training event in Suva included customs enforcement and police drug control officers from the Governments of Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, as well as international experts from the Oceania Customs Organization (OCO), World Customs Organization (WCO), UNODC/WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) and the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Center (PTCCC).
The event commenced with an inauguration ceremony led by Ms. Nancy Oraka, Secretary of the OCO, welcoming the efforts from the 21 officials representing law and customs enforcement officers at the training. During her opening remarks, Ms. Oraka underscored the significance of the MoU with INCB, stating, "the need for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and intelligence sharing to combat the trafficking of emerging drugs and related chemicals is pivotal to protect the peoples of the Pacific." Ms. Oraka highlighted the importance of pooling resources, intelligence, and expertise to disrupt illicit networks at every level.
Photo: Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Secretary Oraka opened the training event
Officers were provided access to INCB global communications platforms and advanced targeting tools, such as IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence HD and ELITE, to enhance the global exchange of information and intelligence-led targeting and to support domestic and international investigations. Trainers also led practical science-based training on their appropriate use of INCB supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid drug test kits that can detect even trace amounts of the most commonly trafficked synthetic opioids, namely tramadol, oxycodone, and fentanyls-some fatal if consumed at the milligram dosage. Training was matched to the realities of the challenging field environment where the frontline officers operate. These resources were supplemented with field guides, awareness posters and access to the ELITE virtual training resources.
The Board's Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme and Project ION and OPIOIDS Project support Governments' capacity to respond to changing trafficking, illicit manufacture, marketing and sales of NPS, non-medical synthetic opioids and fentanyl-related substances by providing real-time communication, facilitating information exchange and intelligence development that interdict distribution of dangerous substances at the source.
The GRIDS Programme enjoys support from the Governments of Canada, Japan, and the United States. This event was made possible through generous support from the Government of Canada's Global Affairs Canada and the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Click here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION